This week's "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New England Patriots at the Buffalo Bills was the #4-ranked telecast of the week in adults 18-49 (5.8/14) and the #1 program of the week among men 18-49 (7.7/19) and men 25-54 (8.4/19). Season-to-date through eight weeks, "NBC Sunday Night Football" ranks #5 among all programs in adults 18-49 and #1 among men 18-49 and men 25-54.

This week, "Heroes" ranked #7 (tied) among all programs in adults 18-49. Season-to-date, "Heroes" ranks #6 among all programs in adults 18-49 (6.0/13), #3 among adults 18-34 (6.6/16) and #3 among men 18-49 (6.3/15) and men 18-34 (7.1/18; tie). "Heroes" is the #1 Monday show season-to-date in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and other key demographic measures.

"The Office" this week ranked #10 (tied) in adults 18-49 and #5 (tied) in adults 18-34. Season to date, "The Office" ranks #7 among all programs in adults 18-49 (5.4/12), #5 among adults 18-34 (6.4/16), #8 among men 18-49 (5.6/14) and #5 in men 18-34 (6.9/19). "The Office" is television's #1 comedy season-to-date in adults 18-49.

Through the first eight weeks of the 2007-08 season, NBC's median age has decreased by 1.8 years, to 45.2 years this season from 47.0 years at this point last season. In this same comparison, ABC's median age has increased by 2.0 years (to 49.5 from 47.5) and CBS's median age has increased to 52.6 years from 51.9 at this point last season. Fox's median age has declined from 46.1 years to 45.0 years, reflecting in part fewer hours of baseball on Fox's primetime schedule this season versus last.

* On Monday, "Heroes" won its time period in adults 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34 and the key demographics of men 18-49 and men 25-54. "Heroes" was up 6 percent in 18-49 rating and 13 percent in total viewers versus the prior week, delivering its highest results in both measures in four weeks.

* Also on Monday, "Journeyman" gained 14 percent in adults 18-49 rating and 19 percent in total viewers versus the prior week, delivering its highest demo rating in three weeks and its biggest overall audience in four weeks.
.

* On Tuesday, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" dominated its time period, winning by every key ratings measure � adults, men and women 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54, as well as total viewers. "SVU" topped its nearest competitor in 18-49 by 57 percent and beat the ABC-CBS drama competition combined in adults, men and women 18-34 and women 18-49.

* Also on Tuesday, "The Biggest Loser" continues to build ratings momentum, delivering its biggest total viewership of the current cycle, while matching its highest 18-49 rating of the season, up 13 percent versus its season-to-date average. "Loser" gained 36 percent in 18-49 from its first to its final half-hour and was up 36 percent versus NBC's average in the time period last season.

* On Wednesday, "Life" retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Bionic Woman" and built on its "Bionic" lead-in by 10 percent in total viewers. "Life" ranked #1 among men 18-34 and #2 in other key adult-male demos.
.

* On Thursday, "My Name is Earl," "30 Rock" and "The Office" all scored their highest 18-49 ratings since their respective season premieres. .

* "The Office" continues to deliver robust ratings in its tough new time period. Through the first eight weeks of the season, "The Office" is up 56 percent in 18-49 rating versus NBC's performance in this slot through this point last season.

* Also on Thursday, "ER" was up 11 percent in 18-49 and 14 percent in total viewers versus the prior week, scoring its top results by both measures in four weeks.

* On Friday, "Deal or No Deal" hit NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period since March and the network's biggest overall audience in the slot the past year. "Deal" ranked #2 in 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34 and total viewers, and was the "most watched" show of the night on any network in overall total viewers.

* Also on Friday, "Friday Night Lights" scored its highest 18-49 and total viewers numbers since its season premiere. "Lights" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in men 18-49 and 18-34.

* On Sunday, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the New England Patriots at the Buffalo Bills powered NBC to a #2 finish in adults 18-49 and a #1 ranking for the night in adults 25-54 and total viewers.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Additional NBC highlights for the week of November 12-18:

On Monday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (3.0 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 7.6 million viewers overall) increased 11 percent in 18-49 rating from its first to its second half hour (to a 3.1/8 from a 2.8/7). "Chuck" has generated half-hour-to-half-hour increases with every one of its eight Monday original telecasts to date.

At 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (5.2/12 in 18-49, 11.2 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in its hour in adults 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34 and in the key male demos of men 18-49 and men 25-54. "Heroes" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 73 percent in 18-49 rating and by 48 percent in total viewers

"Heroes" delivered its highest results in adults 18-49, total viewers and other key measures in four weeks (since October 15). Versus the prior week, "Heroes" was up 6 percent in 18-49 rating and up 13 percent in total viewers (or more than 1.2 million persons). It is worth noting that in "live plus seven day" results through November 4, "Heroes" has been increasing an average 16 percent from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day."

Monday at 10 p.m. ET, "Journeyman" (2.4/6 in 18-49, 6.1 million viewers overall) was up 14 percent in 18-49 rating and 19 percent in total viewers versus the prior week, delivering its highest demo rating in three weeks and its biggest overall audience in four weeks.

On Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 8-10 p.m. ET, "The Biggest Loser" (3.4/9 in 18-49, 8.2 million viewers overall) continued to generate ratings momentum, by virtually every possible measure. "Loser" was up 13 percent versus its current season to-date average in adults 18-49, matching its previous season-high in the demo. In total viewers, "Loser" set a new high for its current cycle. Versus NBC's average in this time period last season, "Loser" was up 36 percent in 18-49 rating (3.4 vs. 2.5). From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Loser" gained 36 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 3.8/9 from a 2.8/8) and 17 percent in total viewers (to 8.6 million from 7.3 million). Versus the prior week, "Loser" was up 3 percent in both 18-49 rating and total viewers.

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (4.4/12 in 18-49, 12.5 million viewers overall) dominated its time period, winning in all key ratings measures � adults, men and women 18-49, 18-34 and 25-54, as well as total viewers. "SVU" won its hour in adults 18-49 by a 57 margin over ABC's second-place "Boston Legal" (4.4 vs. 2.8) and by 144 percent over CBS's "Cane" 1.8). "SVU" beat the ABC-CBS competition combined in adults, men and women 18-34 and among women 18-49.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 9 p.m. ET, "Bionic Woman" (2.5/6 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) built by 25 percent in 18-49 rating on its lead-in from the previous hour � a 2.0/6 in 18-49 and 6.1 million viewers overall for "Phenomenon" from 8-9 p.m.

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Life" (2.5/7 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its 18-49 lead-in from "Bionic Woman." In total viewers, "Life" built on its lead-in from "Bionic" by 10 percent. "Life" ranked #1 among men 18-34 and #2 among men 18-49 and 25-54.

On Thursday, Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. ET, "My Name is Earl" (3.7/10 in 18-49, 8.0 million viewers overall) increased by 12 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week to deliver its highest rating since its season premiere on September 27. "Earl" ranked #2 in its slot in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults and men 18-34, and men 18-49. "Earl" was up 16 percent in 18-49 rating versus its season-to-date average in the 8-8:30 p.m. half hour (3.7 vs. 3.2)

Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, "30 Rock" (3.2/8 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall) delivered its highest rating since its season premiere on October 4. "30 Rock" won its competitive slot among men 18-34.

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, "The Office" (4.8/11 in 18-49, 8.8 million viewers overall) gained 12 percent in 18-49 rating versus the prior week to file its highest rating since its season premiere on September 27. "The Office" was up 45 percent in adults 18-49 versus NBC's average in this highly competitive time period last season (4.8 vs. 3.3). "The Office" built on its lead-in by 50 percent in 18-49 rating and dominated this fiercely competitive time period among men 18-34, topping its closest competitor by 32 percent in that elusive demo (5.8 vs. a 4.4 for ABC's "Grey's Anatomy").

Season to date, "The Office" has lifted NBC by 56 percent in 18-49 rating in this time period versus the network's average at this point last season (5.3 vs. 3.4).

Thursday from 9:31-10:01 p.m. ET, "Scrubs" averaged a 3.1/7 in 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers overall.

From 10:01-11 p.m. ET, "ER" (3.9/10 in 18-49, 9.6 million viewers overall) was up 11 percent in 18-49 rating and 14 percent in total viewers versus the prior week to sew up its top results by both measures in four weeks (since October 18).

"ER" ranked #1 in the time period in adults, men (tied) and women 18-34. In adults 18-49, "ER" ranked #2, finishing within two-tenths of a rating point of the time-period lead in that demo, even though both the competing ABC and CBS dramas benefited from double the lead-in from the 9:30-10 p.m. half hour. CBS' "Without a Trace" (4.1/11 in 18-49) enjoyed a lead-in advantage of 113 percent from "CSI" (a 6.6 from 9:30-10 for CBS vs. a 3.1 for NBC). And "ER" topped ABC's competing drama "Women's Murder Club" in adults 18-49 by 30 percent (3.9 vs. 3.0), despite a 177 percent lead-in advantage from "Grey's Anatomy" for "Women's Murder Club" (a 8.6 from 9:30-10 p.m. for ABC vs. a 3.1 for NBC).

"ER" grew in 18-49 rating from half-hour to half-hour (to a 3.9 from a 3.8), while both competing dramas declined: ABC's "Women's Murder Club" by 24 percent (to a 2.6 from a 3.4) and CBS's "Without a Trace" by 5 percent (to a 4.0 from a 4.2).

On Friday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. ET, "Deal or No Deal" (2.5/8 in 18-49, 10.7 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period since March 2 and the network's biggest overall audience since November 17, 2006. Versus the prior week, Friday's "Deal" was up 19 percent in 18-49 rating (2.5 vs. 2.1) and by 11 percent in total viewers (10.7 million vs. 9.6 million). "Deal" ranked #2 in 18-49 and #1 in adults 18-34 and total viewers. From its first to its second half-hour, "Deal" grew by 21 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.8/8 from a 2.3/8) and by 1.6 million total viewers or 16 percent (to 11.4 million from 9.9 million). "Deal" was the "most watched" show on television Friday night in overall total viewers.

At 9 p.m. ET, "Friday Night Lights" (2.1/6 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) scored its highest 18-49 rating and attracted its largest total viewership since its season premiere on October 5. "Lights" ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and #1 in men 18-49 and men 18-34.

It is worth noting that in "live plus seven day" results through November 4, "Friday Night Lights" has been increasing an average 20 percent from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day," reflecting the most "time-shifting" of any competing program in the hour. By comparison, CBS' "Moonlight" has an average increase of 10 percent, ABC's "Women's Murder Club" an average 15 percent, and Fox's "Don't Forget the Lyrics" an average increase of 3 percent. Also worth noting, through October 28, "Friday Night Lights" was the most upscale drama on broadcast primetime television and the #2 series overall (behind only NBC's "The Office"), delivering a 139 index of adults 18-49 in $100K+ homes (with a 100 index representing an average concentration of $100K+ homes in the adult 18-49 audience).

On Saturday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Bionic Woman" averaged a 0.8/3 in 18-49 and 3.2 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., an encore "Chuck" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall) built on its lead-in by 25 percent in 18-49 rating. At 10 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 5.7 million viewers overall) matched NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this slot in six weeks and delivered the network's biggest overall viewership in the time period since that same date, October 6. "SVU" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 50 percent in 18-49 rating.

On Sunday, Nov. 18, "NBC Sunday Night Football," featuring the New England Patriots at the Buffalo Bills, averaged a 5.8/17 in adults 18-49, 14.5 million viewers overall and a 9.3/15 household rating and share from 8:25-11:05 p.m. ET.

For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m.), NBC averaged a 5.0/13 in adults 18-49 and 12.7 million viewers overall to rank #2 on Sunday in adults 18-49 and #1 in total viewers and adults 25-54.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:59 p.m. ET averaged a 2.1/6 in 18-49, 5.3 million viewers overall and a 3.4 rating, 6 share in households. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:59-8:15 p.m. delivered a 3.4/9 in 18-49, 9.1 million viewers overall and a 5.8/9 in households. From 8:15-8:25 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 4.1/10 in 18-49, 11.5 million viewers overall and a 7.2/11 in households. Note: "Football Night in America" from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.